Movie Moments LXVIII : Harley Quinn Edition (August 2021)

There's a new DCEU movie, so it seems like an homage to Harley is in order. (I originally reviewed the first Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey in my DCEU marathon.) But I have loved Harley ever since she emerged in Batman: The Animated Series. How much? I legit used "Harlequinade" for analysis in my classes a few years later.


Suicide Squad, 06 August 2021, streamed via HBO Max
My reaction to this was legit, "Oh ugh, the Joker is in this." Too many characters, not enough development, but Harley's delightful even if the costume is excessively skimpy.



Everyone else besides the Joker could have been much more interesting. The Big Bad makes zero sense and I've seen this movie three times. And even so, the scene where Our Protags are given visions of their ideal lives is pretty poignant. (And Diablo! Aw, Diablo.)

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), 06 August 2021, streamed via HBO Max
Things to love about Birds of Prey:

1. Learning how to embrace the fierce goddess within
   
   
2. Acknowledging the deepest truth that is the perfect breakfast sandwich
   
   
3. Meeting an out and proud detective who has no time for any of this shit
   
   
4. Watching Harley tear through the police station like the technicolor warrior she is
   
   
5. Hearing some goddamn beautiful PhD self-analysis
   
   
6. Meeting THE CROSSBOW KILLER Huntress
   
   
7. Saluting the perfection that is badass women who have no time for stupid men
   
   
8. Adoring pretty much everything involving Canary
   
   
9. Seeing a promising kid find the perfect mentor
   
   
10. Discovering this cover of "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Adona
    
    

The Suicide Squad, 06 August 2021, streamed via HBO Max
Why. Why is this the sequel name? Why do we have to live with the confusion for the rest of time? But this one has actual character development! Huzzah!



"I got road rage. In a bank." Okay, Harley, but where's Cassandra now?


Anyway, while there are "twists" and some goddamn twists in this movie, there are no surprises. This film is exactly what it wants to be. It is, in its way, disgustingly glorious.



I have a new love in Cleo AKA Ratcatcher 2 and Sebastian AKA her loyal companion.




And, of course, as always, our self-rescuing princess. (This movie really cannot decide if Harley, Bloodsport, or Flag is the primary protagonist, and I'm kind of okay with it?)



It's just a pleasure, you know, to see superb actors let out to play with over-the-top characters. And it comes along with great music, tons of explosive fight scenes (with a couple of really creatively filmed ones), and explicit critique of American imperialism? Huzzah!


Batman and Harley Quinn, 07 August 2021, streamed via HBO Max
And for a bit of contrast, a Harley Quinn film from the DC Animated Universe. Ish? Because we start off with our darling Pamela Isley and alt-dimensional dryad Jason Woodrue in the midst of a heist and he very, very bloodily kills a guard. Offscreen, but splatter EVERYWHERE. Gosh.



In order to stop Ivy and Woodrue, Batman and Nightwing realize they need to find Harley Quinn because who knows Ivy better than Harley? Harley, who has skipped parole even though she's trying to make it as a waitress. She's trying, okay?



Then there’s a thing with a pseudo-Hooters, Mistress Ilsa, aspiring pornographers, a lot of ass shots, "Goth-Lolita Harley," and, uh, Harley and Nightwing do some banging. The writers and artists are THRILLED sex exists in this version of the DCAU, I guess.



At one point they end up at a henchman's nightclub and Harley has to sing. Obvs.



Ivy is on the fence about destroying the world, but that doesn't stop her from getting into a brawl with her best friend, which includes a hilarious exchange of boob punches. Like, we get so much humor from dudes getting hit in the groin, but I feel like boob punches are an unmined well of comedy.



Harley saves the world because Ivy cannot resist her puppy-dog eyes.



And yes, they do know what the audience really wants.

Even though this film has added sex and violence and harsh language, it does still feel very much like we're watching the familiar characters of the DCAU. (Bruce Timm wrote the script, after all.) They're in "parental guidance" territory, but they're still themselves.



Well, almost.


Anyway, if you haven't seen HBO Max's Harley Quinn TV show, you're missing a rollicking vulgar time.